8 Most Comforting Elsbeth-Like TV Shows to Watch
For those who love their crime shows lighthearted.
There are two types of people who enjoy crime dramas: some prefer their shows to be brooding and dark, the gorier the better, while others tend to enjoy the mystery element mixed with a heartwarming comedy. Elsbeth is a sure-fire hit for the second group, but it's not the only show you might want to check out.
Here are 8 other shows that will give you as much pleasure as Elsbeth without having to wait weeks to see a new episode.
White Collar ( 2009-2014)
Starring Matt Bomer as charismatic con man Neal Caffrey, the show follows his journey to become a great detective after getting out of prison in exchange for helping the FBI's White Collar Crimes Unit. The show is light-hearted, yet features some of the best crime cases you will ever see on television. Plus, there is a chance that it will get a reboot soon enough!
Only Murders in the Building ( 2021-...)
The show that has been recognized by Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe Awards is worth every minute you spend watching it. The brilliant cast combined with incredible writing make the story of a trio obsessing over true crime podcasts is relatable, mysterious and fun, and makes a great late night binge watch.
Monk (2002-2009)
It's no wonder that Elsbeth fans most often compare the series to Monk. Is it just as repetitive and formulaic? Sure, but it also does a great job of creating a likable character you'd want to be around in real life. And at the top of all the charts is Adrian Monk himself, struggling to work as a detective through his OCD and multiple phobias.
Lucifer ( 2016-2021)
Speaking of TV shows with unexpectedly likable characters, Lucifer is one of them. One would think it’s impossible to make a character like that in any way relatable, but thanks to Tom Ellis and brilliantly funny writing, the show manages to do the impossible. Besides, Lucifer has all the needed powers to do good in the world, it turns out.
Mapleworth Murders (2021)
Created and written by Paula Pell and John Lutz, who also star alongside J. B. Smoove and Hayley Magnus, this American comedy mystery follows a strike of homicides that happened in a small town of Mapleworth. The show was complete in one season, with every episode featuring a new victim or suspect to get to the bottom of things.
Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency (2016-2017)
Inspired by the novel series of the same name by Douglas Adams, this show is led by the eccentric holistic detective Dirk Gently, portrayed by Samuel Barnett. Together with his assistant and sidekick, Elijah Wood’s Todd Brotzman, they solve the toughest of cases by the most unconventional methods based on the interconnectivity of all things.
Castle (2009-2016)
Starring the current lead of The Rookie, Nathan Fillion as popular author and titular character Richard Castle, this procedural drama takes its viewers through a variety of investigations held by police detective Kate Beckett and his annoying but very effective sidekick, Castle himself. Fortunately, the two soon begin to see eye to eye.
The Afterparty (2022-2023)
This Apple TV Plus anthology series follows the story of a crime each season, telling the story through the eyes of each of the people involved. While the show was cleverly written and featured many popular guests, it failed to become a hit and was canceled after just two seasons.